The Deniliquin Rovers and Blighty Football Netball clubs will be looking to open their 2024 Picola seasons tomorrow on a positive note.
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The clubs will both play away, against Tocumwal and Yarroweyah respectively.
After launching their year with an Easter Saturday match, Mathoura have the bye this weekend.
Deni and Blighty have both enjoyed some strong pre-seasons, and are looking forward to getting back on the oval.
The Deni Rovers are expecting a big weekend against the match-hardened Tocumwal, who competed in a bruising encounter with Berrigan on Good Friday.
Rovers senior coach Alex Hay said the feeling around the playing side is optimistic following good numbers in the build-up to round one.
“We’re really excited to get back into some footy action after a really positive pre-season,” he said.
“The majority of our list has had a really solid run at it, particularly in the new year.
“Having the whole playing group out there is great in being able to implement a few new aspects of the game style, which I think will hold us in good stead throughout the season.”
The excitement has also been buoyed by the youth in the senior group, plus the return of some experienced players.
“I’m really pleased to have added a few new faces to the club and some that have returned after some time away,” Hay said.
“This is in addition to the great crop of thirds that are coming into their first year of senior football after having some exposure last year.”
Hay said the Bloods will present an excellent opportunity to implement the team’s game style.
“Tocumwal will be a great test first up, especially playing on their home ground which is always a picture.
“They already have a game under their belt, which means they certainly would have the gameplay and match awareness on us.
“That probably works in their favour, so we certainly won’t be taking any concessions.
“I’m hoping that we can get our running game going early on their wide ground and open up some opportunities.
“They have always been a good contested side so there will be a focus to match them in that area and capitalise on the outside of the contest.
“All in all, I think everyone is just looking forward to getting back to some football and netball action.”
The match between Blighty and Yarroweyah is much anticipated.
The Redeyes have new coach Adrian Timmis and new president Rhys Tremble at the helm, which has instilled some new energy around the club.
While the attempt to sign any of the four Sudanese players to Blighty has fallen through, the club is excited to sign five new players with significant pedigree and experience to the Blighty Football Netball Club.
The experienced Kai Bloomfield is one, having played at Katandra last season and being a Collingwood VFL player in 2019-20.
Bloomfield has experience at the VAFA premier level, was a talent league player with the Oakleigh Chargers, where he has been a senior assistant coach and recruiting analyst for St Kilda.
Another VFL listed midfielder, Ed King, and two former players involved in the Oakleigh Chargers system in Melbourne from last season have also signed on.
Cooper Mitchell is an athletic ruckman and and Beppe Daly is a key defender.
Additional signing Matt Haberfield is currently involved with the Oakleigh Chargers but doesn’t have a local club.
These signings come alongside new assistant coach Dane Leyden, who played with Echuca United last year.
“Hopefully, they can come up from Melbourne and show a bit of ability,” Timmis said.
“We hope to put on a good show for Blighty, our sponsors and the Blighty community more broadly.
“Dane Leyden’s understanding of the modern game will be good. Dane has been a shining light and makes coaching life a lot easier for me.
“We’re looking for a competitive game of football. We’re not expecting to be world-beaters, but hopefully, we have a competitive game plan that stacks up.”
Timmis said the side’s game plan is ready for this weekend.
“Learning from last year, we’ve developed a defensive first mindset.
“Transition that into an attacking style of footy when we have the ball.
“If it is a wet weather game, we’ll play to the conditions, and I think the team who adapts first wins.
“We’re looking to go back to basics and look how the team structure stacks up.
“As I’ve said, I’m excited about our new slate at Blighty.
“We’ll look to develop the younger boys who’ve started to play senior football since last year.
“Hopefully, we can empower the players to know that it’s their football club, implement the game plan, and show it on Saturday.”